Please join me and a friendly group of like-minded learners and lovers of the outdoors for a Nature Hike to Potrero John Camp deep in the Sespe Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest on Sunday, July 2.

The hike will take place on Potrero John Creek, 20 miles north of Ojai. We will cover 1.7 miles each way on a mostly level trail with some elevation gain through chaparral and riparian settings, beginning at 3700 feet. Our destination is a (bring-your-own) lunch stop in the shade of large oak at Potrero John Camp.

The focus, as usual, will be on identifying both useful and poisonous wild plants and learning about the many ways that they have been used by the Chumash people, herbalists, campers, and gardeners for food, medicine, wildcrafting, survival, landscaping and more. We’ll also look for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Discussion will include the ecology of the southern Los Padres National Forest, traditional and modern methods of sustainable foraging, and resource conservation, among other topics generated by the participants’ interests.

Lanny teaching on the trail to Potrero John Camp. Photo: Rondia Kaufer

This hike is presented under a Special Use Permit from the Ojai Ranger District Office of the U.S. Forest Service designed for guides who provide recreational and interpretive services to the public.

The day will begin with a carpool from the Maricopa Plaza parking lot in Ojai at 9:00 am and return there by 4 pm. The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 62 and older, and $15 for students 13-18. Kids 5-12 can go free, with one per adult, by prior arrangement. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Toddlers must be in a carrier. No dogs or smoking, please.

Register at the link below or by calling 805-646-6281. You will receive a confirmation email with all necessary info. No pre-payment is required, just your promise to let us know as soon as possible if your plans have to change.

(The background photo for this website was taken in the gorge at the mouth of Potrero John Canyon.)

PLEASE NOTE: Light rain will not cancel. Heavy rain or thunderstorms will. Once you register you will receive weather updates.

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